When applying for a job, could you say we all go through a certain set of steps. We may start by assessing ourselves and what we enjoy, looking at our hobbies and interests. Or we may start evaluating our current job and position held within the business we are working for.

Have you ever thought of what this initial step must be like for someone with a disability? Luckily for those the Australian Government acknowledges people with disabilities desire to work and maintain a job in society. The Disability Employment Services is set up to aid these individuals, assisting them with training and education, where possible, to help them get a job. There are numerous Disability Employment services that assist this.

Disability Employment Services delivers employment assistance for job seekers with a disability. It aims to assist employers wanting to give jobs to people that have disabilities, and it promotes assistance for those supporting the ongoing employment of people with disabilities.

Facts about Disability Employment Services:

- There are 224 providers of DES programs in Australia

- DES have currently helped 140,000 people with disabilities gain employment

- DES are available to aid the disabled even once they are employed

Support for Job Seekers

Disability Employment Services will help you develop an Employment Pathway Plan - sets out the services and assistance you need to locate and maintain a job. This may include; training, work experience opportunities, managing medications and individual disabilities and overcome barriers faced with employment.

Disability Employment Services work with employers, such as Ozanam Industries, to identify employment opportunities for people with disabilities. They assist with the job design, recruitment advice, training information and awareness. They deal with on and off site support that aims to assist employees settling into their new jobs and work environments. Disability Employment Services also offer on-going support for all employees and employers that work with people with disabilities.

An example of a Disability Employment Service

It is through Organisations like Ozanam Industries that people with disabilities are offered a fair employment opportunity. Ozanam Industries is a Special Work of the St Vincent de Paul society that is dedicated to inspiring the lives of people with disabilities. Disability Employment Services assist them to understand the individual capabilities of employees and help them acquire and maintain a job.

Ozanam Industries works with over 100 people with disabilities in Sydney. Ozanam Industries Assists multiple organisations with their mail fulfillment and packaging requirements, which in turn generates employment opportunities for people with disabilities.